Low hour used tractors

[mikester]

For some reason low hour machines are selling for the same prices as new. I'd rather buy new at that point and get warranty.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Tractor hours are not how long the engine has been running.
A tractormeter is different than an hour-meter for a generator which records actual run-time.
Tractor hrs. are calculated by the meter. It runs the numbers then records what would be the equivalent of 1 hr. of use at rated PTO RPMs.

Days later and I'm still trying to figure out how my hour meter could know what I'm doing with the tractor.

It sure seems that it simply shows the time the engine has been running, and may even keep adding to the run-time with the engine off and ignition on.

Admittedly, I haven't timed it yet, but now I'm curious enough to do it.

 

[edgarrian]

Coming from a farming back ground and construction equipment operator. The biggest concern for me with the popularity of smaller tractors taking off. IS that homeowners don't check their equipment properly. As well as using it in a manner that creates stress points and possible failures down the road. I think for the most part you will be fine purchasing used but just realize there are a lot of people that dont know what they are doing

 

[RayIN]

Days later and I'm still trying to figure out how my hour meter could know what I'm doing with the tractor.

It sure seems that it simply shows the time the engine has been running, and may even keep adding to the run-time with the engine off and ignition on.

Admittedly, I haven't timed it yet, but now I'm curious enough to do it.

The last number is 1/10 of 1 hr.= 6 minutes.
Quote from Gary Fowler:
Used to be, all hours were clocked at PTO speed, less than RPM @PTO speed meant the hours rolled over slower. Now some of the lower end tractors just use an hour meter that runs when the key is turned on. This is OK I guess for lawnmowers where the engine runs full throttle almost all of the time but for a tractor, one really needs to monitor the engine time based on a RPM speed so we can properly assess the wear on the engine and especially the oil.

The only real way to tell is to turn on the key and see if the hour meter runs or it remains the same. 1/10 hour on the meter would be 6 minutes so it wont take long to see if the clock registers real time or engine PTO speed time.
Your owners manual will explain how your tractor records hours.
The final authority for your tractor is the operators manual.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Now some of the lower end tractors just use an hour meter that runs when the key is turned on. This is OK I guess for lawnmowers where the engine runs full throttle almost all of the time but for a tractor, one really needs to monitor the engine time based on a RPM speed so we can properly assess the wear on the engine and especially the oil.

Well, the L3800 rarely runs at PTO rpm, yet it seems to simply count engine hours.
Haven't paid enough attention to the M6040's meter readings to be able to tell, but I'll check that one, too, at some point. And it does run somewhat close to PTO rpm a couple of times per summer (when mowing).

Guess there are advantages to having these lower end tractors - they seem to show exactly what I expect an hour meter to show. Just like the Unimog backhoes.

Anyway, since I'm the only operator it's easy enough for me to properly assess how they have been used and when maintenance is appropriate.

 

[ptsg]

Electronic hour meters use their own internal timer and just get a signal from the alternator to know that the engine is running and will be accurate to the exact second. It's not dependent on the RPM like the mechanical hour meters.

 

[Bavarian]

The operation hours are counted as soon as the alternator is charging.

 

[Too many Kubotas]

Electronic hour meters use their own internal timer and just get a signal from the alternator to know that the engine is running and will be accurate to the exact second. It's not dependent on the RPM like the mechanical hour meters.

That's what I thought. The RPMs sure don't seem to make any difference on mine.

 

[ptsg]

That's what I thought. The RPMs sure don't seem to make any difference on mine.

Basically, it uses the pulses from the alternator AC output for the tachometer to count the RPM. Some tractors may use the signal from a pickup sensor at the injection pump instead.

That signal is also used to so the hour meter knows the engine is running and can start adding hours.

I've timed the hour meter on mine and a tenth, is exactly 6 minutes, to the second.

 

[rScotty]

Days later and I'm still trying to figure out how my hour meter could know what I'm doing with the tractor.

It sure seems that it simply shows the time the engine has been running, and may even keep adding to the run-time with the engine off and ignition on.

Admittedly, I haven't timed it yet, but now I'm curious enough to do it.

I wouldn't spend much time trying to figure that out.
rScotty

....believing something doesn't make it true.